Switch for directional and clearance lamps



July 31, 1951 J. R. HOLLlNS 2,562,274

SWITCH FOR DIRECTIONAL AND CLEARANCE LAMPS Filed Sept. 17, 1949CLEARANCE CLEARANCE LAMPS LAMPS 3s 3/ Q FLAS/IER 6 4 ---37 Fug/ER P A ESNAL. 7 d I 7 1 51322 IN VEN TOR.

.4 TTORNEY Patented July 31, 1951 SWITCH FOR DIRECTIONAL AND CLEARANCELAMPS Jesse B. Hollins, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application September 17, 1949, Serial No. 116,321

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to vehicle signalling systems and moreparticularly to a novel switch and a novel circuit arrangement, wherebyclearance lamps may be utilized as flashing directional signals, andwhereby all of the signal lamps on a vehicle may be simultaneouslyflashed as an "emergency stop indication.

Most modern motor vehicles are equipped with directional signal lamps onthe front and rear of the vehicles, and these lamps are selectivelyenergized to apprise an approaching or following vehicle when a turn iscontemplated. Additionally, larger vehicles, such as trucks, arerequired by law to carry clearance or marker lights whereby othervehicles may be apprised of the width of the so-marked vehicle. As ageneral rule, the clearance lamps are steadily illuminated, whereas theturn signal or directional lamps are easily flashed so as to morereadily attract the attention of other drivers.

The present invention is directed to a novel switch, and to a novelcircuit combined therewith, whereby, when the signal lamps on one sideof the vehicle are flashed to indicate a turn, the

clearance lamps on that side of the vehicle are likewise flashed. Theclearance lamps on the other side of the vehicle remain steadilyilluminated, and the directional lamps on such other side of the vehicleremain extinguished. The switch has a further position in which all ofthe clearance lamps and all of the directional lamps are simultaneouslyflashed to indicate an emergency stop of the vehicle. A feature of theinvention is a provision by means of which the switch may be reversed inposition 180 so that it will have a day position and a night position.In the day position, the. clearance lamps are illuminated only when aturn is signalled whereas, in the night position, the clearance lampsare steadily illuminated except when a turn is indicated.

As a further feature of the invention, the usual directional signallamps may be omitted, and two-filament lamps may be used for theclearance lamps. With such arrangement, the clearance lamps are steadilyilluminated through one With the foregoing in mind, it is an object ofthe present invention to provide a novel directional signal andclearance lamp control switch.

Another object is to provide a. novel signalling circuit for motorvehicles by means of which clearance lamps may be selectively flashedsimultaneously with directional signal lamps to indicate a vehicle turn.

Yet another object is to provide a combined switch and circuit by meansof which all of the signal lamps on a vehicle may be simultaneouslyflashed to indicate an emergency stop.

A further object is to provide a novel clearance lamp arrangementwhereby the clearance lamps may be utilized, in place of the usualdirectional signal lamps, to .indicate a turn of a vehicle.

These, and other objects. advantages and novel features of the inventionwill be apparent from the following description and the accompanyingdrawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a schematic wiring diagram of a switch and vehicle signallingcircuit embodying the invention; and

aschematic wiring diagram of an alternativeembodiment of the invention.

. cle, the number may vary in accordance with the length, width andheight of the vehicle. The

directional signal lamps 30, 30' are arranged, in the usual manner, nearthe right and left sides of the vehicle at the forward and rear endsthereof.

Switch Ill includes a mounting plate ll of suitable insulating materialhaving a central terminal 12 acting as a pivot for the movable switchmember generally indicated at I5. Terminal I2 set of filaments fornormal night-time driving.

is connected to one terminal 4 of the usual vehicle battery, or othersource of electric power 5, the other terminal 6 which is grounded asat 1. Movable switch member l5 includes aligned radial extending contactarms l3 and i4, and radially extending angularly related arms l6 and I!which extend on either side of arm I3. Member l5' has a day operatinghandle or extension l8 and a night" operating extension or handle H. Inthe night operation position of member i 5, arms l6 and I I are engagedwith contacts 2| and 2|, each respectively connected 3 to one terminalof the parallel arranged clearance lamps 20 and 20. The other terminalsof the clearance lamps are grounded as at 22 and 22. It should be notedthat arms l6 and I1 are substantially shorter than arms l3 and I4.

Switch In includes contacts 3| and 3|. Contact 3| is connected through aflasher unit 32 and the operating coil of a relay 33 to one terminal ofthe directional signal lamps 30 on the right-hand side of the vehicle.These lamps are grounded as at 34. Contact 3| is similarly connectedthrough a flasher unit 32 and a relay coil 33 to the groundeddirectional lamps 30 on the left-hand side of the vehicle. For a purposeto be described, switch II] has a pair of diametrically oppositecontacts 36, 36 respectively connected to contacts 3| and 3|, and has adead" contact 31.

Relay 33 has an armature 38 which, when the relay is energized, connectsflasher 32 to a contact point 39. Point 39 is connected through the coilof a relay 23 to the live terminals of clearance lamps 20. When relay 23is energized, its armature 24 engages a contact point 26 connected to apilot or indicator lamp 25 grounded at 21. A similar arrangement isprovided for the clearance lamps on the left-hand side of the vehicle.

With switch H) in the illustrated position, clearance lamps 20 and 20'are steadily illuminated from battery terminal 4 through terminal |2,arms Hi and H, and contacts 2| and 2|. Should it be desired to indicatea right-hand turn of the vehicle, extension I9 is moved one positioncounter-clockwise. In this position, arm |4 engages contact 3| and arm|3 engages contact 2|. Contact 2| is disengaged. Under such conditions,left-hand clearance lamps 20 will continue to be steadily illuminated.Right-hand directional lamps 30 will be flashed through operation offlasher unit 32. Each time unit 32 is energized, armature 38 engagescontact point 39 to flash right-hand clearance lamps 20 and operaterelay 23. The latter efiects an engagement of armature 24 with contactpoint 26 to flash pilot lamp 25 indicating that the circuit is inoperating condition.

Should one or more of lamps 20 fail, there will be a drop in the currentthrough coil 23 and this relay is so designed that the resulting dropacross coil 23 will be insuflicient to engage armature 24 with contactpoint 26, and the resulting failure of lamp 25 to light up will adviseof a circuit defect. Likewise, relay 33 is so designed that if eitherlamp 30 is inoperative, the drop across coil 33 is insufficient toengage armature 38 with contact point 39. Consequently, the clearancelamps 20 will fail to flash and pilot lamp 25 will not be illuminated.This again will indicate a failure or defect of the circuits on theright-hand side of the vehicle. It should be noted that arms l6 and Hare sufliciently short that they will engage only contacts 2| and 2which are radially nearer to terminal |2 than are the other switchcontacts.

A left-hand turn of the vehicle is indicated in the same manner asdescribed by moving handle |9 clockwise one position, so that arm l4engages contact 3| and arm I3 engages contact 2|. As a result, lamps 20will continue to be steadily illuminated whereas lamps 20 and 30 on theleft-hand side of thevehicle will be flashed to indicate a turn. Shouldleft-hand pilot lamp 25 fail to illuminate, itwill indicate a defect inthe circuits on Switch ID has a position in which all of the lamps onthe vehicle are flashed to indicate an emergency stop. To achieve thiseffect, arm I!) is moved two positions in either direction so that armsl3 and I4 connect contacts 36 and 3G to battery 5 through terminal |2.In this position, both set of lamps on each side of the vehicle areflashed through the flashing signal circuits previously described. Thislighting arrangement providesefiective wiring to prevent other vehiclesfrom colliding with a standing vehicle, and the flashing lights amountto flashing flares insofar as warning effects are concerned.

Fig. 2 illustrates switch ID in the day position. In the circuitarrangement illustrated in Fig. 2, directional lamps 30 and 30 areomitted and two filament clearance lamps 40, 40 are provided. Each lamp4!] has a pair of filaments 4| and 42, and each lamp 40 has a pair offilaments 4| and 42. All of the filaments are commonly grounded at 52.Filaments 4| are commonly connected to contact 2| of switch LII.Filaments 42 are commonly connected to contact 3| of switch ID in thesame manner as lamps 30 of the arrangement of Fig. 1. The relatingarrangement for flashing filaments 4| and pilot lamp 25 is the same aspreviously described. The circuits on the left-hand side of the vehiclecorrespond to those described for the right-hand side of the vehicle.

In the day position of switch ID, as shown in Fig. 2, contacts 2| and 2|are disengaged so that filaments 4| and 4| are not energized. Should itbe desired, for example, to indicate a right-hand turn of the vehicle,handle i8 is moved one position counter-clockwise so that arm |4 engagescontact 2| and arm |3 engages contact 3|. It should be noted that arm |4may be so designed as not to engage contact 2| in this position if it isdesired that the left-hand filaments 4| not be illuminated steadilyduring flashing of the right-hand lamps. Filaments 42 are flashinglyenergized through 32, and filaments 4| are flashingly energized throughoperation of relay coil 33. A left-hand turn of the vehicle is indicatedin a similar manner by moving handle l8 one position clockwise. Whenhandle I8 is moved two positions in either direction, all of thefilaments 4|, 4|, 42 and 42 are simultaneously energized to indicate an"emergency stop condition.

If switch member I5 is reversed to the position of Fig. 1, for nightdriving, filaments 4| and 4| will be steadily illuminated. When a turnis indicated. a much brighter flashing signal will be selectivelyprovided through energization of both sets of lamp filaments on one sideof the vehicle through the flasher unit 32.

The representative ends I8 and I9 of member l5 can be appropriatelymarked so that the switch l0 may be placed in proper position for eitherday-time or night-time driving. Alternatively, only one operating handlecould be provided and the switch casing appropriately marked forpositioning of this one handle for day-time and night-time driving.

While specific embodiments of the invention I have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the inventionprinciples, it should be understood that the invention may be otherwiseembodied without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle signalling system comprising, in

the left-hand side of the vehicle.

combination, a source of power, two sets of electrically energizedclearance indicators, one clearance indicator set arranged on each ofthe left and right sides of the vehicle, two sets of electricallyenergized turn indicators, one turn indicator set arranged on each ofthe left and right sides of the vehicle, a switch having a first pair ofcontacts each connected to a different set of clearance indicators, asecond pair of contacts, and a movable contact member connected to saidsource, a pair of flasher units each connected to a different contact ofsaid second pair, and a pair of relays each having a coil connectedbetween a flasher unit and a different set of tum indicators, each relayhaving a pair of contacts and being operable, when the relay coil isenergized, to connect its associated flasher unit to the clearanceindicator set on the same side of the vehicle as its associated turnindicator set, said movable member having a first position connectingboth of said first pair of contacts to said source, and a secondposition connecting one contact of said first pair and the oppositecontact of said second pair to said source, whereby both sets ofclearance indicators may be steadily illuminated, or one set ofclearance indicators and the corresponding turn indicators may beflashed while the other set of clearance indicators remains steadilyilluminated, to signal a turning movement of the vehicle. A

2. A vehicle signalling system comprising, in combination, a source ofpower, two sets of electrically energized clearance indicators, oneclearance indicator set arranged on each of the left and right sides ofthe vehicle, two sets of electrically energized turn indicators, oneturn indicator set arranged on each of the left and right sides of thevehicle, a switch having a first pair of contacts each connected to adifferent set of clearance indicators, a second pair of contacts, athird pair ofv contacts, each connected to a different contact of saidsecond pair, and a movable contact member connected to said source, apair of flasher units each connected to a different contact of saidsecond pair, and a pair of relays each having a coil connected between aflasher unit and a different set of turn indicators, each relay having apair of contacts and being operable, when the relay coil is energized,to connect its associated flasher unit to the clearance indicator set onthe same side of the vehicle as its associated turn indicator set, saidmovable member having a first position connecting'both of said firstpair of contacts to said source, a second position connecting onecontact of said first pair and the opposite contact of said second pairto said source, and a third position connecting both contacts of saidthird pair to said source, whereby both sets of clearance indicators maybe steadily illuminated, or one set of clearance indicators and thecorresponding turn indicators may be flashed while the other set ofclearance indicators remains steadily illuminated, to signal a turningmovement of the vehicle, or all the indicators may be concurrentlyflashed to signal an "emergency stop.

3. A vehicle signalling system comprising, in combination, a source ofpower, two sets of clearance lamps, one clearance lamp set arranged oneach of the left and-right sides of the vehicle,

two sets of turn indicating lamps, one turn indicating lamp set arrangedon each of the left and right sides of the vehicle, a switch having afirst pair of contacts each connected to a different set of clearancelamps, a second pair of contacts, and

a movable con-tact member connected to said source, a pair of flasherunits each connected to a different contact of said second pair, and apair of relays each having a coil connected between a flasher unit and adifferent setof turn indicatin lamps, each relay having a pair ofcontacts and being operable, when the relay coil is energized, toconnect its associated flasher unit to the clearance lamps set on thesame side of the vehicle as its associated turn indicator set, saidmovable member having a first position connecting both of said firstpair of contacts to said source, and a second position connecting onecontact of said first pair and the opposite contact of said second pairto said source, whereby both sets of clearance lamps may be steadilyilluminated, or one set of clearance lamps and the corresponding turnindicating lamps may be flashed while the other set of clearance lampsremains steadily illuminated, to signal a turning movement of thevehicle.

4. A vehicle signalling system comprising, in combination, a source ofpower, two sets of clearance lamps, one clearance lamp set arranged oneach of the left and right sides of the vehicle, two sets of turnindicating lamps, one turn indicating lamp set. arranged on each of theleft and right sides of the vehicle, a switch having a first pair ofcontacts each connected to a different set of clearance lamps, a secondpair of-contacts, a third pair of contacts each connected to a differentcontact of said second pair, and a movable contact member connected tosaid source, a. pair of flasher units each connected to a differentcontact of said second pair, and a pair of relays each having a coilconnected between a flasher unit and a different set of turn indicatinglamps, each relay having a pair of contacts and being operable, whenthe-relay coil is energized, to connect its associated flasher unit tothe clearance lamps set on the same side of the vehicle as itsassociated turn indicator set, said movable member having a firstposition connecting both of said first pair of contacts to said source,a second position connecting one contact of said first pair and theopposite contact of said second pair to said source, and a thirdposition connecting both contacts of said third pair to said source,whereby both sets of clearance lamps may be steadily illuminated, or oneset of clearance lamps and the corresponding turn indicating lamps maybe flashed while the other set of clearance lamps remains steadilyilluminated, to signal a turning movement of the vehicle, or all thelamps may be concurrently flashed to signal an emergency stop.

5. A vehicle signalling system comprising, in combination, a source ofpower, two sets of electrically energized clearance indicators, oneclearance indicator set arranged on each of the left and right sides ofthe vehicle, two sets of electrically energized turn indicators, oneturn indicator set arranged on each of the left and right sides of thevehicle, a switch having a first pair of contacts each connected to adifferent set of clearance indicators, a second pair of contacts, and amovable contact member connected to said source and including a firstpair of aligned radial arms and a second pair of radial arms extendingequi-angularly to either side of one of said first pair of arms, a pairof flasher units each connected to a different contact of said secondpair, and a pair of relays each having a coil connected between aflasher unit and a different set of turn indicators, each relay having apair of contacts and being operable, when the relay coil is energized,to connect its associated flasher unit to the clearance indicator set onthe same side of the vehicle as its associated turn indicator set, saidmovable member having a first position in which said second pair of armseach engage one of said first contacts, and a second position in whichone of said first pair of arms engage one of said first pair of contactsand the other arm of said first pair engages one of said second pair ofcontacts, whereby both sets of clearance indicatoils may be steadilyilluminated, or one set of clearance indicators and the correspondingturn indicators may be flashed while the other set of clearanceindicators remains steadily illuminated, to signal a turning movement ofthe vehicle.

6. A vehicle signalling system comprising, in

combination, a source of power, two sets of electrically energizedclearance indicators, one clearance indicator set arranged on each ofthe left and right sides of the vehicle, two sets of electricallyenergized lamp indicators, one lamp indicator set arranged on each ofthe left and right sides of the vehicle, a switch having a first pair ofcontacts each connected to a different set of clearance indicators, asecond pair of contacts, a third pair of diametrically opposite contactseach connected to a difierent contact of said second pair, and a movablecontact member connected to said source and including a first pair ofaligned radial arms and a second pair of radial arms extendingequi-angularly to either side of one of said first pair of arms, a pairof flasher units each connected to a difierent contact of said secondpair, and a pair of relays each having a coil connected between aflasher unit and a different set of turn indicators, each relay having apair of contacts and being operable, when the relay coil is energized,to connect its associated flasher unit to the clearance indicator set onthe same side of the vehicle as its associated turn indicator set, saidmovable member having a first position in which said second pair of armseach engage one of said first contacts, a second position in which oneof said first pair of arms engage one of said first pair of contacts andthe other arm of said first pair engages one of said second pair ofcontacts, and a third position in which said first pair of arms engagesaid third pair of contacts, whereby both sets of clearance indicatorsmay be steadily illuminated, or one set of clearance indicators and thecorresponding turn indicators may be flashed while the other set ofclearance indicators remains steadily illuminated, to signal a turningmovement of the vehicle, or all the indicators may be concurrentlyflashed to signal an emergency stop.

'7. A vehicle signalling system comprising in combination, a source ofpower, two sets of electrically energized clearance indicators, oneclearance indicator set arranged on each of the left cator set arrangedon each of the left and right sides of the vehicle, a switch having afirst pair of contacts each connected to a different set of clearanceindicators, a second pair of contacts, a third pair of diametricallyopposite contacts each connected to a different contact of said secondpair, and a movable contact member connected to said source andincluding a first pair of aligned radial arms and a second pair ofradial arms extending equi-angularly to either side of one of said firstpair of arms, a pair of flasher units each connected to a differentcontact of said second pair, and a pair of relays each having a coilconnected between a flasher unit and a different set of turn indicators,each relay having a pair of contacts and being operable, when the relaycoil is energized, to connect its associated flasher unit to theclearance indicator set on the same side of the vehicle as itsassociated turn indicator set, said movable member having a firstposition in which said second pair of arms each engage one of said firstcontacts, a second position in which one of said first pair of armsengage one of said first pair of contacts and the other arm of saidfirst pair engages one of said second pair of contacts, and a thirdposition in which said first pair of arms engage said third pair ofcontacts, whereby both sets of clearance indicators may be steadilyilluminated, or one set of clearance indicators and the correspondingturn indicators may be flashed while the other set of clearanceindicators remains steadily illuminated, to signal a turning movement ofthe vehicle, or all the indicators may be concurrently flashed to signalan emergency stop, said second pair of arms being ineffective to engageeither of said second or third pairs of contacts, said member having areversed day position in which said first pair of contacts remaindisengaged and one of said first pair of arms is selectively engageablewith either of said second pair of contacts or both of said first pairof arms are engageable with said third pair of contacts.

JESSE R. HOLLINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,740,777 Murray Dec. 24, 19292,090,332 O'Neil Aug. 17, 1937 2,122,508 Bell July 5, 1938 2,124,829Rioux July 26, 1938 2,186,911 Erickson Jan. 9, 1940 2,203,502 MichelJune 4, 1940 2,238,394 Murray, Jr Apr. 15, 1941

